I've been lurking around these boards since I was diagnosed with adult-onset allergies to all nuts in February. Oh, yay... I had a cold at the time so I confused the first two (lesser?) anaphylaxis reactions with that... but the third was definitely life-treatening (swelling throat, difficulty breathing, lethargy, doomed feeling, drop in blood pressure) and off to the GP I went. Stupid, I know, but I was too lethargic to figure out what was really happening and call 911. (I was thoroughly reprimanded and further educated by my GP, don't worry.)

Now that I look back on it, the allergies have been there for at least eight years. Worsening eczema, worsening asthma, unbearably itchy mouth and throat after eating nuts (originally thought to be OAS), puffy throat, chronic stomach aches... they all disappeared once I cut the nuts and traces of nuts from my life. I feel so much better now!

It's been a steep learning curve, as you all know. I've made mistakes and had a few minor contact reactions (rashes, eczema) and one serious reaction since my diagnosis. I forgot to ask ingredients on something and, sure enough, walnuts were an ingredient. I didn't use the EpiPen because I didn't think it was as worse as it was because I had felt that way lots of times before my diagnosis... stupid again... when will I learn? According to my GP, it definitely needed Epi. Now I have to remember to Epi for every reaction, no matter how minor I think it is! And also learnt to ask about EVERYTHING that comes to my table at a restaurant.

It's nice to find a (Canadian) forum with people who understand the quirks of living with food allergies. How we always have to carry EpiPens wherever we go, add the not-always-practical MedicAlert jewellery to our collection, and the investigative work that goes into everything we buy, everything we eat, and everywhere we go. So thanks for being here. I've learnt a lot from ths form (and a few others) and hope to find continued support and be able to share ideas and advice in the future as well.

Hi Jennifer
Welcome to the group. Your story is very similar to mine. I also was just formally diagnosed with a tree nut allergy and I am trying to figure things out as well. This is a great group full of wonderful people who will answer your questions no matter how silly they may be or how obvious the answer is. Having adult onset is very challenging and there is a HUGE learning curve. This is also a great place to vent your frustrations with this new challenge and find great advice.

Thank you for the warm welcome. The adult-onset part of the allergy is difficult to deal with. So many people don't understand how I could eat certain things before (such as bakery items or Silk soy milk) and now cannot. *sigh* It's an adjustment and it's nice to know I'm not alone.

@Susan - Yes, I've bookmarked the Allergic Living website, 'liked' them on Facebook, and requested my local library to subscribe to the magazine.

Welcome to the group spacecanada. Though I have had allergies all my life I have also learned much from this site. A very knowledgeable group you have found. I hope you find the grove of allergys not to difficult to get into. Before long it will just be part of your thinking to look at ingredients...

_________________Me-Allergic to Peanut, Tree Nut, Coconut, Shellfish, ASA and Asthma
My Husband and Children No Allergies

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